By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
TNA Impact (Episode 1,151)
Taped July 30-31, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Liacouras Center
Simulcast August 6, 2026, on AMC, AMC+, and TNA+
[Hour One] The show opened with the new TNA International Champion arriving backstage with his wife and adorable daughter… The Impact opening aired… Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt were on commentary, and McKenzie Mitchell was the ring announcer…
Matt Hardy made his entrance with Jeff Hardy. A “Matter of Fact” graphic listed that Matt is a better actor than Ryan Nemeth. The broadcast team was shown, and they spoke briefly at their desk. Ryan Nemeth made his entrance with Nic Nemeth. Actress Aimee Garcia of Dead City was shown in the crowd…
1. Matt Hardy (w/Jeff Hardy) vs. Ryan Nemeth (w/Nic Nemeth). Matt dominated the bulk of the action until Nic tripped him, allowing Ryan to DDT him for a near fall. Jeff punched Ryan at ringside. Matt kicked a distracted Ryan and hit him with a Twist of Fate before pinning him…
Matt Hardy beat Ryan Nemeth.
Powell’s POV: The expected outcome. The fans love the Hardys, so they were hot for this match. By the way, John Moore was a late scratch. I already watched the show before I found out. I’m just skimming through the episode again to refresh my memory for this review, so I won’t be listing any match times.
Gia Miller interviewed Knockouts Champion Xia Brookside, who said Wendy Choo would find out that she is on another level. Xia started to talk about Elayna Black until she walked onto the set. Black encouraged her to keep talking. Xia said Black would think twice about seeing what she does to Choo. Black said she doubted that…
Hannifan listed upcoming matches heading into a commercial break… [C] Footage aired of Jason Hotch winning the TNA International Championship and celebrating with his wife and daughter…
Backstage, Jason Hotch was showing off his title belt to his wife and daughter. Gia Miller showed up and asked what the TNA International Title means to him. He said it means everything to him. He said people thought of him as a sidekick for years, and people thought he couldn’t move past the glass ceiling. He said he proved all those people wrong. He said it’s not just his title. He said his wife and daughter were there for him when the road got rough. Hotch promised that there wouldn’t be a day that would go by that he would take being champion for granted. Rich Swann and BDE showed up and congratulated Hotch on his title win…
Powell’s POV: They are doing a really good job of following up on Hotch’s win. They opened the show with a shot of his family, and followed up with this promo. Last week’s win elevated Hotch, along with the TNA International Championship in the process.
The Knockouts TV Title bracket graphic was shown, and then entrances for the match took place…
2. Heather by Elegance (w/The Concierge, M by Elegance, Mr. Elegance) vs. Mara Sade in a Knockouts TV Title tournament quarterfinal match. Sade performed an early missile dropkick for a two count. Heather targeted Sade’s left arm. Both wrestlers ended up on the apron. The idea was that Sade would dive at Heather, who would use her legs to launch Sade into the ring post. Unfortunately, it looked like Sade jumped over her legs and into the post on her own. Later, Sade went up top, but Heather grabbed her arm and wrenched it over the top rope. With Sade on the mat, Heather performed a missile dropkick that hit the bad arm before getting the three count…
Heather by Elegance beat Mara Sade to advance to the semifinals of the Knockouts TV Title tournament.
The updated bracket showed that Heather will face Jada Stone in the semifinals…
Powell’s POV: This was okay. It went a little longer than necessary given the way most of the live crowd faded. I liked the way Heather targeted Sade’s arm. I thought she might use a submission hold to win, but the missile dropkick to the arm was an interesting twist. This was apparently Sade’s final taping with Impact, as the company announced her departure earlier this week. Even if Sade were staying, I’d be happy with the outcome because I’m hoping for a Heather vs. M final to really shake up the Elegance Brand and move those into singles competition, which the announcers mentioned as a possibility during the match.
Moose delivered a backstage promo about facing Frankie Kazarian. Moose said Kazarian calls himself the King of the TNA, but he hasn’t earned it. He said he would give him a chance to earn it at the Lockdown pay-per-view. Mosoe challenged Kazarian to face him for the first time… The broadcast team hyped the remaining matches… [C]
Jason Hotch was with his wife and daughter. He told his wife that he’d be right back because he had to do a quick photo shoot. Mustafa Ali entered the room and sat down next to Hotch’s wife. “Hey, baby girl,” Ali said to Hotch’s daughter. Ali told Hotch’s wife to relax and asked why she was so tense. Hotch’s wife stared ahead and didn’t make eye contact. Ali spoke about everything he did for their family. Ali told the daughter that her dad could buy her all the toys she wanted now.
Ali said he hand-selected Hotch for Order 4. He said he was hurt that Hotch decided to bite the hand that fed him. He said he had to do what he had to do. “I have to take something back from dada that dada took from me,” Ali said to Hotch’s daughter. Ali gave his word that whatever happened to Hotch, he would always take care of the little girl. He put his hand on Hotch’s wife’s knee and said, “And don’t worry, I’ll take care of you too.” Ali left the room. Hotch’s wife closed her eyes for a moment and sighed before turning her attention to her daughter…
Powell’s POV: A strong segment with Ali playing major mind games and increasing the intensity of the feud by putting his hand on Hotch’s wife’s leg. Hotch’s wife didn’t have to say anything, but she played this really well with her frozen reaction to Ali by not making any eye contact. This was uncomfortable in a good way. My only complaint is that they didn’t bother to take a moment to explain why the camera was there to catch all of this. They clearly don’t care, but I wish they would take that simple extra step.
Tom Hannifan said the previous segment was the most disgusting thing he’d ever seen from Ali. Rehwoldt, who normally sides with the heels, said he didn’t even know what to say…
Brian Myers made his entrance with Bear Bronson. KC Navarro’s entrance followed…
3. KC Navarro vs. Brian Myers. Bronson tripped Navarro during the opening minute. The referee saw it and ejected Bronson, who threw a good fit at ringside, which got a rise out of the crowd. Ricky Sosa came out with a chair and jabbed Bronson in the gut with it before hitting him with a couple of soft chair shots to the back. Navarro hit a 305 on Myers (he leaps over the top rope before performing a 619-style kick). Eddie Edwards attacked Navarro for the DQ.
KC Navarro beat Brian Myers by DQ.
TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella walked onto the stage and booked Edward Edwards and Mike Myers vs. Fabiano Aichner and KC Navarro…
Powell’s POV: That’s how Santino said the wrestler names (he pronounced Navarro’s name differently). Cute. Bronson missed some shows due to a back injury last weekend. I guarantee you that it wasn’t from taking those soft Sosa chair shots. Anyway, the match was just a brief setup for the tag team match.
4. Fabian Aichner and KC Navarro vs. Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers (w/Alisha Edwards). The babyfaces were in offensive control before a break. [C] Aichner performed an avalanche butterfly suplex on Edwards, and then Navarro followed with a frog splash. Navarro had Edwards pinned, but Myers broke it up. Aichner powerbombed Myers, only to be hit with a Boston Knee Party. Navarro superkicked Eddie. Alisha slipped her husband a kendo stick, which he blasted Navarro with while the referee was checking on Aichner and Myers. Eddie performed a package piledriver and pinned Navarro.
Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers beat Fabian Aichner and KC Navarro.
[Hour Two] Afterward, Ricky Sosa ran out with a chair and ran off the heels…
Powell’s POV: I thought this was going to be a bounce-back win for Navarro following his recent loss to TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth. The babyfaces got some good offense before the heels stole the win.
Hannifan tried to host the TNA Injury Report, but Rehowldt interrupted with his usual gushing over Nic Nemeth. He called Nemeth “the most Kurt Russell person since Kurt Russell, and that’s according to Kurt Russell.” He said there was “no big trouble in Little Hunk Town.” Hannifan took over and said Mara Sade suffered an abdominal injury and was reportedly in severe pain following her match. Hannifan said Rosemary was missing and there was no sign of her whereabouts…
“The Rightous” Vincent and Dutch were walking backstage when Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy stopped them. Matt congratulated them on surviving the Lake of Reincarnation. Matt said that after all the wars they’d been through, they were now brothers of true battle. “Respect,” Matt said before the teams put their knuckles together. Hannifan said The Righteous would appear after the break… [C]
Jason Hotch approached Order 4 in a hallway and grabbed Ali. Hotch wound up to punch Ali, but John Skyler stopped him. Hotch pushed Skyler up against the wall and told him to stay out of it. Hotch turned back to punch Ali, but Special Agent Zero was standing in his way. Ali asked what was wrong with Hotch, who said Ali put his hands on his wife. Ali denied it. Skyler said it was a big misunderstanding. Hotch asked Skyler if he was stupid. Mila Moore said Hotch couldn’t talk to Skyler like that. Tasha Steelz stepped up and told Moore to stay out of it.
Security showed up and held back Ali and Hotch. Ali called for a rematch inside a steel cage at TNA Lockdown. After Ali left with Moore and Special Agent Zero, Hotch told Skyler that he was done with Order 4 and Skyler was coming with him. Skyler said he needed the job. Hotch threw his shirt down and walked away, disgusted with his partner. Steelz called out for Hotch, who never turned back…
Powell’s POV: I like the idea of having Hotch flying solo against Ali, at least to start. It’s good to have some mystery over where Skyler and Steelz stand heading into Lockdown. I got a kick out of Ali denying that he touched Hotch’s wife even though the footage already aired on television.
“The Righteous” Vincent and Dutch made their entrance. Dutch said the Lake of Reincarnation didn’t wash them away; it showed them what comes next. He said some say that water cleans the body, but this water reshapes direction. Dutch said this took them away from the Hardys and toward something way beyond them. Vincent said their purpose for the Hardys was not to destroy them, but to reveal them. Vincent said the Hardys became the Ultimate GOATs. Vincent said their work with the Hardys was finished “for now.” He said they were moving on to something great. They babbled on a bit, and eventually Vincent said they weren’t looking for opponents. Vincent said they were looking for people who might be dying like a flower with just a little bit of life left in them to bloom into something greater. Hannifan said The Righteous were on a new mission and that should frighten everyone in TNA…
Powell’s POV: This didn’t need to be an in-ring segment. The live crowd just sat on their hands while Vincent and Dutch spoke in riddles. It sounded like they could be adding members.
Backstage, Harley Hudson and Jada Stone were talking when Santino Marella showed up and asked for a word with Hudson. Santino recalled Daria Rae saying she wanted to terminate Hudson’s contract. Santino said he told her not to do it, but she’s going to the board of directors. He mentioned that Rae said things would be different if she saw some winning results.
Alisha Edwards stormed into the room and demanded to know what Santino was going to do about Ricky Sosa hitting Bear Bronson with a chair. Santino asked for two minutes with Hudson. Alisha was bothered by the idea that Hudson was more important than System business. Jada Stone returned and argued with Alisha.
Hudson asked Santino if beating a former Knockouts Tag Team Champion would be the winning result that she needs to avoid having her contract terminated. Santino said yes. Alisha tried to deliver her “Do you want to know who I am?” line, but Hudson cut her off and said there’s nothing about Alisha that scares her. Alisha said she’d see Hudson in the ring…
The broadcast team hyped the remaining matches… [C]
Powell’s POV: The story of Daria threatening to have Hudson’s contract terminated gives fans a reason to care about Hudson and her upcoming matches. It’s good to see creative come up with something for Hudson beyond random matches. Plus, Alisha is a good heel, which gives the fans another reason to rally behind Hudson.
A video aired with Allie walking backstage and eventually finding some tarot cards on the floor. She picked them up and looked into the camera…
Powell’s POV: TNA dabbling with black magic explains so much. Maybe we can’t blame the bookers for always having ref bumps and overbooked finishes to their biggest matches. Perhaps the company is cursed, and it’s out of their control.
AJ Francis made his entrance. Hannifan said AJ Francis told him that he was responsible for injuring Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in the 2016 preseason. Hannifan said the injury propelled the Eagles to win the Super Bowl in the 2017 season (with Nick Foles). Home Town Man made his entrance wearing an Eagles jersey…
Powell’s POV: AJ was on the preseason roster for the Buccaneers in 2016, but his character is telling tall tales unless he played linebacker and went by the name of Micah Awe. By the way, my Minnesota Vikings lost to Foles and the Eagles in the 2017 NFC Championship Game, and now have Wentz on their roster. Awe made the Bucs’ practice squad in 2016, but he was cut five days later. He also had brief stint with the Jets and never played a game for them, and spent most of his career in the Canadian Football League. There’s way more information than you’ll never need to know about Francis being a heel by taking credit for something he wasn’t involved in.
5. AJ Francis vs. Home Town Man. Home Town Man put his Saquon Barkley jersey down in the corner of the ring after the bell rang. Francis speared Home Town Man and then picked up his jersey and spat on it. Francis motioned for a chokeslam.
Elijah stood on the stage and strummed his guitar. Home Town Man rolled up a distracted Francis and pinned him.
Home Town Man beat AJ Francis.
Afterward, Home Town Man fled to the floor, where he gave Elijah a thumbs up. Elijah tipped his hat in response…
Footage aired of Tom Hannifan’s sit-down interview with X Division Champion Cedric Alexander, who referred to himself as the Prime Minister of the X Division. He took issue with fans calling Leon Slater the greatest X Division Champion.
Leon Slater showed up and asked Hannifan if he could finish this one. Hannifan exited, and then Slater sat down and recalled pinning Alexander in a tag team match. Alexander claimed that AJ Styles and the Hardys handed everything to Slater. Slater stood up and asked Alexander if the issue is jealousy. Alexander also stood up and said it took him a lifetime to do what Slater did in two. He said it’s not jealousy. He said he worked and earned the title, while Slater had his mom hold his hand through wrestling school.
Alexander said the thing he hates most about Slater is that he thinks what he’s done in the business is hard, when all he did was show up and benefit off the back of other people. Alexander said Slater isn’t getting another title shot as long as he’s the champion. He added that he would do everything in his power to make sure the fairytale story ends for Slater and erase everything he’s ever done in the business. Alexander left the room, and then Slater sat down on a chair… [C]
Powell’s POV: This was a good segment that finally gave Alexander some character development beyond just yelling his way through during directionless promos. The only issue is why Alexander has the power to say he’s not going to defend the title against Slater. They could tie it in with Daria Rae having power as an authority figure, but they haven’t done that unless I missed something.
Frankie Kazarian was talking on a payphone backstage (holy shit, they still have those?). Daria Rae showed up and pitched him on facing Moose at Lockdown. Kazarian said he would do it for her, but only on his terms. He said if they were going ot be locked in a cage, it should be an escape-the-cage match. Then he spoke about how there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Rae agreed to the match. Kazarian looked into the camera and spoke about how every team has a mascot, and that’s what Moose is for TNA…
Powell’s POV: Nowhere to run or hide, but the goal is to escape the cage? Um, okay. Why did Daria have to get Frankie’s approval to book the match? If nothing else, I guess they are consistent with their warped approach of letting wrestlers choose their opponents.
Entrances for the Knockouts Championship match took place…
6. Xia Brookside vs. Wendy Choo for the TNA Knockouts Championship. McKenzie Mitchell delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Choo was introduced as being from the City that Never Sleeps (get it?). Choo went on the offensive to start before a commercial break. [C]
Hannifan directed viewers to the graphics at the bottom of the screen that listed the Lockdown matches, and then Indi Hartwell vs. M by Elegance, and Nic Nemeth vs. Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Championship for next week’s Impact.
Choo hit a Snooze Button slam and then covered Brookside for a near fall. Choo applied the Dirt Nap (Cobra Clutch). Brookside eventually pulled Choo into the ropes, which clotheslined her. Brookside hit her Darkside DDT and scored the pin.
Xia Brookside defeated Wendy Choo to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship.
After the match, Elayna Black entered the ring and approached Brookside. Black pointed at her wrist and then motioned for the belt. Brookside held up the title belt… [C]
Powell’s POV: This was fine. Brookside is doing a good job as a heel, but I don’t know if fans buy her as the Knockouts Champion yet. It’s been long enough since Choo was a regular on NXT that the fans didn’t seem excited to see her. The storytelling has not given fans a reason to like Black. She was a heel, and then it seemed like she just started acting like a babyface out of nowhere because Lockdown is in her hometown of Chicago.
Jeff Hardy was using a marker to color in some artwork while seated in a room backstage. TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth entered the room and said he only sees dark, facts, and how great he is at this. He said it’s nice that Jeff has a hobby. He said Hardy probably mows his own grass. Nemeth said people take their eyes off the prize and that’s why he’s the world champion. Hardy remained silent, which irked his Lockdown opponent. Nemeth said there’s no one better than he is. Nemeth said for some reason he’s never beaten Jeff. Nic said it’s the big leagues and real life. Nemeth said he’s the world champion, and he knows Jeff can be, but it won’t be while he’s there.
Nic placed a contract folder on the table and signed the contract for their TNA World Championship match at Lockdown. Jeff signed the contract and went right back to his artwork. Nic said even Jeff’s signature couldn’t be normal. Nic told him to enjoy his Zen moment because it would be his last one he’d have. The producer credits were shown as Nemeth said he would never lose the title and he’d think of himself as the greatest wrestler in the world once he beats Hardy. Nemeth told Hardy to go back to what he was doing before he left the room to close the show…
Powell’s POV: Jeff needs to deliver a promo to make the title seem important to him to get the fans fired up about seeing him go for the TNA World Championship. There’s still time, though, so it’s fine that it didn’t happen here. Overall, a decent episode, with the Mustafa Ali and Jason Hotch developments being the best part of the episode. I will be back later today with my weekly audio review of TNA Impact for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons).
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